Mr. Dell’Ambrogio, Swiss State Secretary of Education and Research, visited Shanghai shortly on September 13th and 14th after his participation in the World Economic Forum in Tianjin.
It has been 3 years since Mr. Dell’Ambrogio’s last visit to Shanghai in 2009. This time he was able to see something new. On the morning of September 14th, together with Mr. Pascal Marmer, the new Executive Director of swissnex China, Mr. Dell’Ambrogio visited Shanghai Zizhu National Hi-tech Zone located in Minhang district. After a tour to the impressive Planning Hall of Zizhu Zone, Mr. Qiang Guoxia, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Zizhu Zone, had a discussion with the delegation. The International Education Center and YBC (the incubator for university graduates and staff) are particularly interesting for the delegation.
Mr. Dell’Ambrogio then paid a visit to Andress+Hauser, a Swiss automation equipment company located inside the Zizhu Hi-tech Zone. Andress+Hauser is a time-honored Swiss family-owned company specializing in measuring instrument and automation solutions. Mr. Jiang Mingsheng, Deputy General Manager, introduced the history and development of the company and the delegation also had a tour to the warehouse.
The third visit was Firmenich Aromatics, which is located in Xinzhuang Industry Park. Firmenich is a large private-owned Swiss company in the perfume and flavor business. VP China Group, Mr. Pierre-Alain Ceralli, shared with the delegation the company’s development and effort in sustainablity.
In the late afternoon, swissnex China organized an exclusive event for Swiss Alumni in Shanghai and Mr. Dell’Ambrogio as a highlight of the programme. 14 Swiss alumni joined the round-table discussion, focusing on the topic of discussion on education, research and innovation, the situation in Switzerland and its relation to China. The invited Swiss university alumni exchanged their experiences with Mr. Dell’Ambrogio and discussed possible way to further enhance the role of Swiss innovation in China, through for example more activities to promote Swiss excellence and take part in the strongly growing R&D environment in China. Further they also discussed possibilities to introduce a similar vocational system in China, as in Switzerland this education opportunity offers young people great education and start into professional life. Though the big cultural difference of the perception in society of vocational education, might be a (too) big barrier in China. The conclusion of the discussion was that there is a need to further enhance the promotion of Swiss innovation and that Swiss companies definitely see a need to foster the exchange of young talents between China and Switzerland to stay the most innovative country in the world.
Mr. Dell’Ambrogio’s day in Shanghai was closed by a dinner hosted by Consul General Mr. Schellenberg. High level representatives from Tongji University, Novartis Shanghai, Hua Wei China, SwissCham, and senior professors from Fudan University were invited.
Group picture with State Secretariat Mauro Dell’Ambrogio and the participants of the round table discussion.
Find more pictures on Facebook or swissnexChina.org